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cat426b

Fig tree illness

cat426b
10 years ago

Two fig trees I ordered online came in and just started really growing. I noticed that the leave started to develop lighter, thinner spot with brown patches on them. As well as most of the leaves seem like they areÃÂ wilting. These trees were kept indoors all winter in a pot, so I thought I may have over watered them. But even after dramatically changing how often I water the trees they still look sickly. Now I have two other fig trees that were taken as a cutting from someone local, and these are healthy as can be. Please help I am very new to this.

Comments (4)

  • soaht
    10 years ago

    I think it looks like fig mosaic virus(FMV)? Many fig variety came from California and most if not all are infected with the FMV. Many nursery also got their fig source from CA so they are also infected by FMV. But most of your local fig tree in your area will probably be FMV free depending on their mother tree sources. From what I have read on the net it says that it doesn't affect it's fruiting ability just it's growing habits may be slower than normal, but i've also seen many post from people saying their fig with FMV doesn't affect it in any way at all.

  • cat426b
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thank you for the help.

  • saralee123
    10 years ago

    I just noticed 3 of my 5 trees have the same thing. I to am new at this and need help from all you experienced folks. I have had these trees planted in 5 gal. buckets for 2 to 3 years. I put them out in the spring and bring them inside in the fall. I have never seen this problem before. I just put them out a week ago. I don't see any sign of bugs, so probably is the fmv. Do I need to do anything to the trees (spray with something)? Is it unusual that it hasn't shown up before? Thanks for your help

  • soaht
    10 years ago

    Disclaimer: newbie with lots of reading done, not an expert and this is also my first year with figs so none of my figs has showed signs yet, but i'm sure they will soon.

    I'm no expert, but base on my reading about this FMV is that there is nothing you can do about it if the tree is already infected. It's recognize by the USDA and that it isn't a problem and doesn't affect the fig tree in any ways only slower growth habit. Many trees will not show signs of this FMV for years and then all of sudden show up. Many people had a fig that they thought were FMV free to only have it show up years later. Some are very noticeable, even from the first leaf when rooting cuttings. They are infected by some kind of small bug and if your tree came from an infected mother tree cuttings then your's is also infected. The only way to have a almost free FMV free tree is grow one from seeds. But I don't think seeds come true since there are probably other figs around to cross pollinate and the resulting seedling is a hybrid. Since you have these in buckets for a few years you should probably root prune them, so they don't get root bound and strangle the tree to death. To do so just carefully take out your tree by leaning it on it's side, tapping it until it gets loose and you can pull out the whole tree. Prune/cut the roots and replace with some new soil and maybe a bigger pot size would be better for them since you said you had them for 2-3 years. Bigger pot makes for a happier plant that is more productive due to having more root room to grow. A 15-20 gallon min, just keep root pruning every couple of years to make sure it doesn't get root bound. Just look up FMV and root pruning, you'll see lots of threads on this matter. Below is a link to a good thread about FMV.

    Again, i'm no expert merely just a newbie also that has done lots of reading, so don't quote me on any of this.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Is mosaic carried in all fig trees?

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